FINAL: Tampa Bay Rowdies 3, Riverhounds SC 0

USL Championship — Week 3 

FINAL: Tampa Bay Rowdies 3, Riverhounds SC 0

Match Stats: USL Championship Match Center

Instant Match Summary

The Riverhounds’ three-match road trip to open the season hit a major speed bump at Al Lang Stadium, as they fell 3-0 to a hard-charging and clinical Tampa Bay Rowdies side.

Leading the Rowdies charge was none other than former Riverhound, Russell Cicerone, opened up his scoring account with his new club, delivering a goal and an assist, while 2025 All-USL Championship second team selection MD Myers came off the bench to convert the second goal for the Rowdies midway through the second half.  Evan Conway added a late goal to add more salt to the already wounded Hounds.

“It’s always a bit different playing against Pittsburgh. I have so much respect for that organization and those fans, but my job now is to produce for Tampa. Getting that first goal for the club tonight—especially right before the half—was a massive weight off the shoulders,” Cicerone said after the match.

“We knew if we could break their structure early, we could control the tempo.”

The first half saw Tampa Bay come out with an effective high press which rattled Pittsburgh’s efforts to get on the ball and control tempo.  Despite Tampa causing plenty of havoc with its high-line efforts to disrupt the Hounds, they were unable to connect and convert on any chances.

Pittsburgh started to build-up play a bit more past the half hour mark, but were not generating any quality touches or shot chances in or around the box.

The match deadlock was broken in the final seconds of stoppage time, with Cicerone getting on the end of a Marco Micoletto cross.

The late goal shifted the momentum entirely toward the hosts heading into the break.

Tampa Bay carried that momentum into the second half, doubling their lead and effectively putting the game out of reach.

Despite several tactical shifts from Rob Vincent, including bringing on fresh legs like Junior Etou, Robbie Mertz and Trevor Amann, the Hounds struggled to break down a Rowdies defense anchored by former teammates Jahmali Waite and Nate Dossantos.

There is no time to dwell on the Florida heat as the Hounds fly home to prepare for the anticipated, rescheduled U.S. Open Cup “Pittsburgh Derby” against Steel City FC this Wednesday at Highmark Stadium.

INSTANT THOUGHTS & BREAKDOWN

That was a tough one for the Hounds. It’s never easy watching former fan favorites like Russell Cicerone find the back of the net against you, especially when it snaps a momentum-building start to the season.

Here is a breakdown of the match details and what’s next for the club.

Statistical Note: A Rare Defensive Slide

This loss marks a concerning trend for the Hounds’ usually stout defense. This is the first time since late July 2023 that the team has surrendered multiple goals in three straight matches.

• March 7: 2-1 loss vs. Charleston Battery

• March 14: 3-2 win vs. Loudoun United FC

• March 21: 3-0 loss vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

Look for more reaction to come from Al Lang Stadium from post match interviews and on Sunday John Krysinsky will share his match takeaways.  

Live Match Updates and Commentary: 

Follow along for all match updates here:

FINAL — TAMPA BAY 3, PITTSBURGH 0

2nd half

90′ (+3) — GOAL!! TAMPA BAY 3, PITTSBURGH 0

Evan Conway in stoppage time buries his chance.

78′ — GOAL!! TAMPA BAY 2, PITTSBURGH 0

MD Myers

Russell Cicerone with nice advance through middle of field, then plays ball to Myers outside shoulder — and one touch buries a terrific shot from 15 yards.

Have to think the Hounds may have gone to two center backs too soon — pushing too many numbers forward and caught on the second goal.

73′ – Chipped cross by Viera, but Etou can’t keep the header down after elevating above his defender.

72′ — Pittsburgh more fluid on ball through final third. Earn corner kick with ball in that nearly connects.  Dikwa with right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box that misses.

68′ — Attempt missed TBR’s super sub –MD Myers.  Rowdies now with 12-1 advantage in shots.  Yikes!

68′ — HOUNDS SUBS

IN: Robbie Mertz, Eliot Goldthorp

OUT: Bradley Sample, Charles Ahl

First appearance of season for Goldthorp!

62′ — Micaletto goes in the books.

56’ — Etou picks up a yellow for Pittsburgh.

47′ — Foul!   Dikwa earns free kick.  Sam Bassett’s free kick sails just wide!

46′ — SUB — Junior Etou comes on for Guillaume Vacter who must be injured.  We may also see Hounds shift tactics here with only two true center backs in the lineup.

HALF — TAMPA BAY 1, PITTSBURGH 0

A fairly disciplined half from the Hounds was undone in the final seconds of stoppage time. After 45 minutes of neutralizing the Tampa Bay attack, a late lapse allowed the Rowdies to find the back of the net just before the whistle.

 It’s a tough pill to swallow for a Hounds side was starting to work its way back in dictating tempo and shape of the match — after yet another slow start —  until that moment.

Tough sledding’ for the Hounds in the final third despite owning 60 percent of time on the ball, they were unable to generate a single shot.

Here’s the Cicerone goal:

Key Stats at the Half

45’+1 — GOAL!  TAMPA BAY 1, PITTSBURGH 0

Russell Ciccerone has arrived in St. Pete!

The former Hound gets on the end of cross — perfectly placed by Marco Micoletto, between two Hounds’ center backs, and places pinpoint header inside far post slot to give the home side the lead.

Just as Riverhounds started to get back into controlling possession — Tampa grabs a huge momentum swing in the match in stoppage time!

37′ — Foul!  Dikwa does the dirty work to earn the foul.  Free kick doesn’t quite connect.

30′ — Pittsburgh has had more possession but it’s been a bit more sustained through the middle with a few pushes forward but not a shot attempt yet.  Dikwa is drawing a lot of heat.  Rowdies defending in final third has been outstanding.

14′ — Hounds finally earn a corner — after decent build-up causes Rowdies to quick clear. Sam Bassett corner doesn’t connect at all sails way over goal.

10′ — Former Hounds leading scorer — Cicerone has a chance — but blocked!  Tampa definitely on the front foot early — especially as its high press is not letting the Hounds get any kind of build-up going.

1′ — Kickoff — They’re underway at Al Lang.  Hounds wearing this year’s road Gold tops and Black short and socks.

Thoughts on Hounds Starting XI — Same lineup as last week for Pittsburgh.

7:31 p.m.

6:35 p.m. — Lineups are posted…

Starting Lineups

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (3-4-2-1):

• GK: Nico Campuzano

• DEF: Guillaume Vacter, Victor Souza, Beto Ydrach

• MID: Perrin Barnes, Bradley Sample, Sam Bassett, Max Viera

• AM: Danny Griffin (C), Charles Ahl

• FWD: Albert Dikwa

• Bench: Mike Sheridan, Illal Osumanu, Junior Etou, Jackson Walti, Robbie Mertz, Warren Agostoni, Aldair Flowers-Gamboa, Brigham Larsen, Trevor Amann

Tampa Bay Rowdies (4-2-3-1):

That’s THREE former Hounds in the line-up for the Rowdies…

• GK: Jahmali Waite

• DEF: Dion Acoff, Brian Schaefer, Nate Dossantos, Jordan Ostrem

• MID: Schneider, Hilton

• AM: Russell Cicerone, Dolabella, Cruz

• FWD: Henderlong

• Bench: Austin Pack, Jesse Tita, Laurence Wyke, Louis Pérez, Marco Micaletto, Alexander Rodriguez, Gino Vivi

• Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026

• Kickoff: 7:30 PM EDT

• Venue: Al Lang Stadium | St. Petersburg, FL

• Current Records: * Riverhounds: 1-1-0 (3 pts)

  • Rowdies: 1-0-0 (3 pts)

• All-Time Series: Tied at 7-7-5

• Odds: Rowdies +105 | Hounds +240 | Draw +210

📺 How to Watch & Follow

• Television: SportsNet Pittsburgh (Local)

• Streaming: Watch on ESPN+ (National)

• Radio: Radio Las Palmas, 92.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)

John Krysinsky

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).